#BTEditorial – New year, same challenges to beat

The start of a new year tends to be a time of reflection as we gear up to face the unknown of the next 12 months.

Certainly, the last three years, turned upside down by the global COVID-19 pandemic, then Russia’s unprovoked and unnecessary war against Ukraine, increasing natural disasters, bizarre weather patterns and more have all prepared us to expect the unexpected and to roll with the punches.

Predictions for 2023 are that challenges will be more of the same. Noted economists have made clear that the global economy is not out of the woods yet.

In fact, two days ago, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva cautioned that a third of the global economy will be in recession this year.

“Why? Because the three big economies, US, EU, China, are all slowing down simultaneously,” she told CBS Sunday in an interview.

“We expect one-third of the world economy to be in recession,” Georgieva added, noting that even for countries that are not in recession “it would feel like a recession for hundreds of millions of people”.

The prediction hardly gives cause for optimism for the recovering Barbados economy.

With our main tourism source market, the UK, in the throes of a slowdown and with fears of a recession in the US and Canada, our already improving tourism fortunes could be in jeopardy. But we hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley offered her own caution with a dose of optimism that Barbados will stay the course if all hands are on deck.

She noted that the country was at a difficult point in its development, largely because the world is facing its own difficulties and what is required in 2023 is for Barbadians to build resilience at all levels.

Mottley told the nation: “The truth is that the headwinds are still out there internationally but we equally know that if we work carefully and are careful stewards in all that we do, we can in fact make it.

“Over the course of the last few months, we have been engaging with different groups and sections in our society and the Social Partnership, recognising that no matter how much a government may want us to grow, no matter how much as Prime Minister I may want us to grow, that ultimately it depends on all of us working together and making that definable difference to help the needle move.”

Clearly, our priorities as a country will be critical during this tough season.

The first we propose is a sound plan to ensure the state can navigate the choppy waters ahead while ensuring that all Barbadians can stay afloat. We expect that the Government will buckle down on its economic plan, ensuring it maintains sustainable economic growth. This requires that wasteful and reckless spending be scrapped and new strategies and innovative ideas are formulated to boost challenged sectors and develop new areas of production.

While keeping the economy stable is key, social issues must be equally tackled.

Vulnerable households must be shielded by Government and we, therefore, look forward to the promised amalgamation of the island’s social agencies to better deliver services, the early rollout of the promised social programme that will target at least 1 000 families, and other initiatives that will ensure no one is left behind.

The rise in crime and violence during last year must not be allowed to raise its heads in 2023. The high number of illegal firearms on the streets must be tackled and authorities, families, and all stakeholders must address the root causes of the crime scourge.

This brings us to the glaring need for education reform at all levels and the strengthening of programmes to ensure our youth can live productive lives and contribute to society.

This list is far from exhaustive. What’s needed now is a clear commitment from all Barbadians to address these issues with boldness and tenacity to make 2023 our best year despite the uncertain times ahead.